From JB (9-12-2021)

Something about "he lets them harden their hearts". So you are on your own.

So long, guess you served your purpose.

You did good while you lasted.

God is not so unrighteous so as to forget their works

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From me (9-12-2021)

So believing what the GB say about themselves is hardening my heart?

Interesting.

This reminds me of when Jesus asked the Jews: "I displayed to you many fine works from the Father. For which of those works are you stoning me?" (Jn 10:32)

And the Jews replied: "We are stoning you, not for a fine work, but for blasphemy." (Jn 10:33)

You also accuse me of blasphemy (so to speak) against the GB.

Jesus' response was to refer them back to their own Law: "Is it not written in your Law,..." (Jn 10:34)

My response is also to always refer to the scriptures in my articles.

Jesus responded to his accusers: "If I am not doing the works of my Father, do not believe me. But if I am doing them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works." (Jn 10:37-38)

I respond to you: If i am misquoting the Bible, do not believe me. But if my quotes are correct and not taken out of context, even though you do not believe me, believe the Bible.

When an officer of the court slapped Jesus, he said: "If I said something wrong, bear witness about the wrong; but if what I said was right, why do you hit me?" (Jn 18:23)

I say to you:  If i wrote something wrong, bear witness about the wrong; but if what i wrote was right, why do you accuse me?

Those men (GB) taking the lead are good men, doing a difficult God-given job. But when i point out a contradiction between their teachings and the Bible, you choose the words of imperfect men instead of the Bible.

You should put the word of God above the word of men, even above those fine men taking the lead.

:^)
Dave

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(additional)

If any of you suspect that i get emails refuting my findings, but that i ignore them, i do not.

I get very few emails regarding scriptural understanding, and none of them have refuted anything i have written.

I share those emails with you, and as you can see from them, when scriptures are actually sent to me, they are within copied and pasted quotes from JW publications, or misapplied personal opinion, not from the emailer using scripture to point out a flaw in my reasoning.

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Regarding the GB, they are the ones taking the lead of that one flock which follow the true shepherds in Christ's fold. (Jn 10:2, 16 - see my article "Other Sheep")

(Hebrews 13:7) Remember those who are taking the lead among you, who have spoken the word of God to you, and as you contemplate how their conduct turns out, imitate their faith.

The GB are supposed to only pass on the words of God and Christ given to us in the Bible.

(Hebrews 13:7) Remember those who are taking the lead among you, who have spoken the word of God to you, and as you contemplate how their conduct turns out, imitate their faith.

If we should not question those taking the lead, why would the Bible tell us to do so? (1Th 5:21) They may be "taking the lead" but that does not mean that we are to follow blindly though. As the 2017 Watchtower says: "Never be content passively or blindly to accept what you hear. (Proverbs 14:15) Use your God-given thinking abilities and power of reason to make the truth your own." (w17 7/15 p. 28 pars. 3, 4)

(Hebrews 13:7) Remember those who are taking the lead among you, who have spoken the word of God to you, and as you contemplate how their conduct turns out, imitate their faith.

Those taking the lead today are tasked with passing on the words of God found in the Bible to the lambs and little sheep. (see: Share Your Thoughts and Research + advice)

Those are the words we are to believe. Those are the words we are to act on. The words from the Bible. "The word of God." Not the words of men. Like a waiter or a server in a restaurant, the job of the GB is not to make the food, or to cook it, but only to serve it. (Mr 8:6)

(Hebrews 13:7) Remember those who are taking the lead among you, who have spoken the word of God to you, and as you contemplate how their conduct turns out, imitate their faith.

That verse does not say that after we have contemplated how the conduct of those taking the lead turns out and find it acceptable, that we are to listen to and believe their own personal teachings, opinions, or interpretations, or even to obey them. No, but it tells us to "remember" them and "imitate their faith." The orders and commandments we are to obey come from the Bible.

Yes, Hebrews 13:17 says to "be obedient to those who are taking the lead among you and be submissive," but as i show in my article "Share Your Thoughts and Research + advice", that obedience and submission is referring to imitating their faith, not following their orders.

Christ refers to us as sheep who follow their shepherd. A shepherd does not drive the sheep forward with commands and orders and directions. He leads the way. And if a sheep wishes to be in his flock, it will follow.

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At John 8:40 Christ said: "But now you are seeking to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God."

I too have "told you the truth that I heard from God." How did i hear it from God? I read it in His words spoken to all of us: the Bible.

Although the Bible commands us to "make sure", many become upset when i share my results from making sure.

They cannot find any fault with my findings, so they condemn me instead.

It is disappointing and sad. (Pr 1:22; 17:16)

(John 8:31, 32) Then Jesus went on to say to the Jews who had believed him: “If you remain in my word, you are really my disciples, ³² and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

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Did you read what i wrote and think i am arrogantly comparing myself to Christ? Well i am. AND YOU SHOULD TOO!

We are Christians! We are supposed to follow his example and act like him.

(John 13:15) For I set the pattern for you, that just as I did to you, you should also do.

(1 Peter 2:21) In fact, to this course you were called, because even Christ suffered for you, leaving a model for you to follow his steps closely.

If you are not emulating Christ, you are not a Christian, because that is part of what it means to be a Christian: to be Christlike.

No one does it perfectly, but we should all try our best. And when we do, we will be treated as he was.

(John 15:20) A slave is not greater than his master. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have observed my word, they will also observe yours.

Since Jesus' day men have chosen the words of their religious leaders over the words in the Bible. And when anyone dared to point out any contradictions, they paid the price for it.

(2 Timothy 3:12) In fact, all those desiring to live with godly devotion in association with Christ Jesus will also be persecuted.

Yes, "godly devotion" is what we should strive for. Not devotion to men, no matter how good and righteous and well intended those men are.

Dave

da.getmyip@gmail.com

( edited for content 03-02-2023)

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